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New locality records for Mesobuthus mesopotamicus (Penther, 1912) are given from Iraq. The populations from southeastern Turkey, earlier identified as M. mesopotamicus by Kovařík et al. (2022) are examined and compared with the specimens from type locality of M. mesopotamicus. These populations are described as a new species, Mesobuthus faiki sp. n. Detailed illustrations of both species and a map are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we genetically analyse populations of ' Filopaludina bengalensis' from the Euphrates River (Iraq), more than 4,000 km from its type locality. By sequencing several mitochondrial and nuclear genes, we aimed to test whether this population indeed belongs to F. bengalensis from India and how it is related to other members of the genus. Our molecular phylogeny shows that the individuals from Iraq form a monophyletic group together with other populations of F. bengalensis from India and F. doliaris from Indochina. The haplotype network indicates closer affinities to populations from western India and further suggests, with support from subfossil records, that the Mesopotamian Plain was colonized by humans some centuries ago. However, given the very limited sampling across the Mesopotamian Plain, further studies are needed in order to obtain a more robust insight into the phylogeographical history of this species across the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on soft tissues of mollusks, Unio tigridis and Viviparous benglensis, have not been studied for biochemical and molecular traits. Therefore, the changes of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and DNA damage in these mollusks were assessed during 21-day exposure to three concentrations of CPF. The results showed that SOD and CAT enzymes in the two mollusk species decreased with highest CPF concentration, while MDA significantly increased with highest CPF concentration. AChE concentrations also showed a clear reduction in soft tissues of both mollusks. DNA damage parameters showed significant differences between controls and three CPF concentrations for each parameter measured in the digestive gland of U. tigridis; and for V. bengalensis significant differences were observed between controls and highest two concentrations of CPF for comet length and tail length. CPF has the ability to prevent reproduction status for the snail V. bengalensis compared to the controls. In this study, we can conclude from the significant changes occurring in the concentrations of CAT, SOD, MDA, AChE, and DNA damage that the concentrations of these biomolecules in the soft tissues of the mussel and snail can be considered suitable biomarkers for a sublethal exposure and/or effects of CPF at the tested concentrations, and we can then use it in biomonitoring of water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]